Why FSU's quarterback competition is still a competition | Wayne's World

If you're anything like me you thought that the quarterback competition at Florida State was just a formality heading into fall practice.

I believed that redshirt sophomore quarterback James Blackman was a shoo-in to be the Seminoles' starting quarterback against Boise State on Aug. 31.

I didn't think that Wisconsin grad transfer Alex Hornibrook would be able to come in and take the starting job away from Blackman after not practicing with the team in the spring and only being around the team for three months before the start of the season.

I even believed that two weeks into camp.

But after speaking with multiple sources after the scrimmage FSU had last Saturday, I came away with a different point of view.

This is a legitimate quarterback battle and Hornibrook has a legitimate chance to win the job.

Blackman is also one of the most likeable players on the roster and has the complete respect of the entire team. That bond with the team has been built over years not months, and is something that Hornibrook won't be able to replicate. Though he has done a solid job in earning the respect of his teammates by all accounts.

All of that is going to play a factor and helps Blackman's cause.

But when Briles talked about Blackman on media day, he said good things about his ability, but he also said that he's had some problems with ball control.

"James is, the way he plays the game, he plays it a little bit different than everyone else," Briles said.

"He does have that competitive passion. And he is a great leader. His arm talent is really good. His accuracy is better. So I like that about him. And he’s a good decision maker. There’s been some times where he’s been a little loose with the ball and we’ve addressed that...

"He’s got to be on the same pages as us offensively. I think he does have great abilities. He’s not the best runner in the world, he’s not the strongest arm in the world. But when you put everything together, he’s a dang good quarterback."

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Knowing how Briles feels about predictability and consistency, it's not out of the question that he would want to go with the player that may not be as physically gifted, but a player that he believes can get the ball out to his playmakers efficiently.

Briles has made it very clear that he's a big fan of the talent that he has around the quarterback position at receiver and running back. Getting those guys the ball and doing it consistently every time is something Briles is going to value quite a bit.

This is by no means me saying that I think Hornibrook is going to win the job. I still believe Blackman will be the starting quarterback when the Seminoles take the field against the Broncos.

Blackman hasn't even had a bad camp. From what I've been told is that he's been pretty good, though he has made some mistakes.

Those mistakes and Hornibrook's consistency have closed the gap in the competition enough that it's actually a competition. Hornibrook is making the correct decision with the football almost every time and is quick to do so. Blackman is making the correct decision most of the time.

FSU holds its final scrimmage of fall camp Saturday and game week starts on Monday. Taggart and Briles will have to make their choice soon after the scrimmage to get their starting quarterback ready for the challenge of going up against the Boise State defense.

So we'll find out soon enough whether Hornibrook has done enough to take the job from Blackman, but he's definitely done enough to make it close.